Huge automaker layoffs depleting jobless funds

ByWITH ANALYSIS FROM MONITOR CORRESPONDENTS AROUND THE WORLDEDITED BY RUTH WALKERMarch 17, 1980

Detroit
— Massive layoffs resulting from the auto industry's sales slump are rapidly depleting supplemental unemployment benefits funds at General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company. Spokesmen at the two firms acknowledged SUB funds were being ravaged but hesitated to predict how long full benefits would be paid. More than 150,000 auto workers have been idled in the industry's worst slump since the 1975 recession.